One of the emcees gravely tells the audience: "The persecution depicted in the piece you just saw is based on true events that is still taking place in China today." He adds, "Unfortunately, you cannot see a performance like this in China."Ĭlayton Dube heads the U.S.-China Institute at the University of Southern California and caught a Shen Yun performance several years ago. In another scene, for those who haven't got the message, a dancing Falun Gong follower unfurls a yellow banner several times that reads "Falun Gong is good." Screenshot of Shen Yun 2018 trailer In this scene from a Shen Yun show, Communist thugs attack Falun Gong followers. He emerges from prison, hobbling, his eyes bandaged. One "victim" is thrown in prison where "guards" torture him with what looks like a cow prod. In two set pieces - one in the middle of the show, another at the end - costumed thugs appearing to be Communists from the look of the red sickle and hammer emblem on their clothes are depicted beating up Falun Gong followers as they practice meditation exercises outdoors.
But I wasn't sure if that history would be included in the show.Īs it turns out, the crackdown by the Chinese government is a very prominent part of the program. I knew that Shen Yun had been founded by practitioners of Falun Gong, the spiritual group that the Chinese government banned in 1999. Less expected are the darker themes of religious repression. Yes, most of the dance numbers are upbeat productions with acrobatic performers twirling against the kind of animated backdrops that you'd see at a touring Disney production. Screenshot of 2018 Shen Yun trailer Shen Yun features dozens of dancers, a live orchestra and animated backdrops.
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